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Effects of Catalyst Ink Storage on Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Author

Listed:
  • Mario Kircher

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Michaela Roschger

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Wai Yee Koo

    (Chemical Engineering Department, UTP Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Persiaran UTP, Seri Iskandar 32610, Malaysia)

  • Fabio Blaschke

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Maximilian Grandi

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Merit Bodner

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Viktor Hacker

    (Institute of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology (CEET), Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25C, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

The shelf-life of catalyst ink for fabricating polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is relevant for large-scale manufacturing with unforeseen production stops. In this study, the storage effects on the physicochemical characteristics of catalyst ink (Pt/C, Nafion, 2-propanol, water) and subsequently manufactured catalyst layers are investigated. Sedimentation analysis showed that catalyst particles are not fully stabilized by charge interaction induced by Nafion. Acetone was found to be an oxidation product, even in freshly prepared ink with platinum catalyzing the reaction. Rotating disk electrode analysis revealed that the electrochemically active surface area is, overall, minimally increased by storage, and the selectivity towards water formation (4-electron pathway) is unharmed within the first 48 h of storage. MEAs prepared from stored ink reach almost the same current density level after conditioning via potential cycling. The open-circuit voltage (OCV) increases due to increased catalyst availability. Scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry showed that with increasing acetone content, the pore structure becomes finer, with a higher specific surface area. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that this results in a more hindered mass transfer but lowered charge transfer resistance. The MEA with the highest OCV and power output and the lowest overall cell resistance was fabricated from catalyst ink stored for a duration of four weeks.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Kircher & Michaela Roschger & Wai Yee Koo & Fabio Blaschke & Maximilian Grandi & Merit Bodner & Viktor Hacker, 2023. "Effects of Catalyst Ink Storage on Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:7011-:d:1256279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. De las Heras, A. & Vivas, F.J. & Segura, F. & Andújar, J.M., 2018. "From the cell to the stack. A chronological walk through the techniques to manufacture the PEFCs core," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 29-45.
    2. Maximilian Grandi & Kurt Mayer & Matija Gatalo & Gregor Kapun & Francisco Ruiz-Zepeda & Bernhard Marius & Miran Gaberšček & Viktor Hacker, 2021. "The Influence Catalyst Layer Thickness on Resistance Contributions of PEMFC Determined by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Olabi, A.G. & Wilberforce, Tabbi & Abdelkareem, Mohammad Ali, 2021. "Fuel cell application in the automotive industry and future perspective," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
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